Hearing Milestones

Hearing develops early in fetal development and is fully functioning at birth. While children respond differently at different stages of growth and development, hearing problems may be suspected in children who are not responding to sounds or who are not developing their language skills appropriately. The following are some age-related guidelines that may help to decide if your child is experiencing hearing problems.

It is important to remember that not every child is the same, and children reach milestones at different ages. Consult your child's physician if you are suspicious that your child is not hearing appropriately. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and other experts list the age-appropriate hearing milestones below for babies and toddlers:

Milestones related to hearing:

Birth to 3 months

Reacts to loud sounds with startle reflex

Is soothed and quieted by soft sounds

Turns head to you when you speak

Is awakened by loud voices and sounds

Smiles in response to voices when spoken to

Seems to know your voice and quiets down if crying

4 to 6 months

Looks or turns toward a new sound

Responds to "no" and changes in tone of voice

Imitates his/her own voice

Enjoys rattles and other toys that make sounds

Begins to repeat sounds (such as ooh, aah, and ba-ba)

Becomes scared by a loud voice or noise

7 to 12 months

Responds to his/her own name, telephone ringing, someone's voice, even when not loud

Knows words for common things (cup, shoe) and sayings ("bye-bye")

Makes babbling sounds, even when alone

Starts to respond to requests such as "come here"

Looks at things or pictures when someone talks about them

Enjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake

Imitates simple words and sounds; may use a few single words meaningfully